[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 23 (Monday, February 8, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING JANE HARMAN

  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, when Jane Harman left Congress in 2011 
to head the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, she 
described herself as dedicated to the belief that the political center 
is where most Americans are and where the best policy answers are 
found. As this great leader and my dear friend steps down from the 
Wilson Center, I take this opportunity to thank her for unswerving 
devotion to that principle.
  Our friendship was forged in the challenging days after the terrorist 
attacks of September 11, 2001. Reaching across the aisle, we worked 
closely together as leaders of the Homeland Security committees in the 
House and Senate. From the landmark intelligence reform legislation we 
crafted, to addressing protections for our Nation's cargo ports and 
other critical infrastructure, to improving emergency preparedness in 
communities throughout America, Jane was always an informed, effective, 
and committed partner.
  I will never forget how, when Jane testified at a Senate Homeland 
Security Committee hearing on maritime security in 2006, she called me 
her ``Security Sister.'' It is a title that fills my heart with pride 
and affection.
  Jane's untiring work to protect our Nation defines her public 
service. Elected nine times by the people of California's 36th 
Congressional District, she served on all major security committees--
Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Armed Services. She served as 
ranking member of the Intelligence Committee's Working Group on 
Terrorism and Homeland Security and chaired the Homeland Security 
Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk 
Assessment.
  After Jane left Congress, she served as a member of the Director of 
National Intelligence's Senior Advisory Group. She currently serves on 
the Executive Committee of the Trilateral Commission and the Advisory 
Board of the Munich Security Conference. She also cochairs the Homeland 
Security Experts Group and is a member of the Presidential Debates 
Commission and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
  Jane has been recognized as a national expert at the nexus of 
security and public policy issues with the Defense Department Medal for 
Distinguished Service, the CIA Agency Seal Medal and Director's Award, 
and the Director of National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service 
Medal. The University of Southern California's Presidential Medallion, 
its highest award, is a fitting tribute to her outstanding service to 
her State and to our Nation.
  Jane is the first woman to lead the Wilson Center. Chartered by 
Congress in 1968, the center is the Nation's key nonpartisan policy 
forum for tackling global issues through independent research and open 
dialogue. Under her leadership, the center advanced its mission to 
generate actionable ideas for policies that affect our security and our 
relations with the world.
  No tribute to Jane would be complete without mention of her late 
husband, Sidney. Driven by a shared ideal of public service, they 
accomplished so much in politics, business, philanthropy, and the arts.
  I thank Jane Harman--my colleague, my friend, my ``sister''--for all 
that she has done for our country. I wish her all the best in her 
future endeavors

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